Boldened by my success at returning all members of my family to the surface after visiting Derinkuyu underground city, I decided we were up to a trek into the hills to visit the valleys surrounding Goreme. Everyone was in a good mood, the sun on our backs, the glistening snow capping the fairy chimneys and a basic map of the area. We visited old Churches carved out of the cliffs and homes carved out of fairy chimneys, enjoyed some fantasic veiws and even had Kathy joining the kids sliding down snowey slopes. This was good outdoors, family bonding activities that we would all remember for the rest of our lives. We sang from the mountain tops and the birds joined in.
Three o'clock in the afternoon with the sun heading rapidly towards the horizon, heavy snowclouds looming we found ourselves up some (probably) wolf and bear infested god forsaken valley. Kathys eyes began glazing over, Morgan started sobbing that we were lost and doomed, I paused to try and remember how long it had been since I was able to feel my toes. I heard comments like "they will probably find our bodies in the summer" and "should we leave any last goodbyes on the video?" and " I'm hungry and cold" and "geez, I could go a Kanyac". I might have said that last comment myself.
Seeing the hope fade from the eyes of my charges, replaced by the now familiar contemptous glances, I confidently stated "WE GO THIS WAY.....I think!" and set a determined pace up a snowy embankment.
The embankment turned gradually upwards until we were scrambling on all fours through shin deep snow until we reached a trail along a ridge that seemed to be heading in the right direction. It was slow going as we had to keep going back to guide Kathy back onto the trail and pulling Morgan back up on her feet after she had collapsed face first in the snow wailing that she couldn't go another step. Despite the frequent requirement of cleaning out Morgs mouth and nasal cavities of trail snow, we managed to make our way to a paved road and, eventually back into Goreme with the sun setting and a heavy snow falling.
After chiselling off our shoes, having hot showers and cups of tea, we all decided it wasn't that bad, though everyone decided that tomorrow we would like to have a quiet day and maybe a lunch...... somewhere with a fireplace, perhaps.....and Kanyac.
Hmmmm....which valley would be more suited for us to die in?
1 comment:
Aw cool snow :) lol wish i was you morgan. It's like 40 degrees here. ew.
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